Taste of Northside draws thousands

By William Pack :
April 29, 2014

Alex Moseley of Papouli's prepares chicken during the 15th annual Taste of the Northside, held at The Club at Sonterra.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Richard A. Loring and his bride of 59 years, Ruthie Loring, enjoy corn during the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Cilantro chicken prepared at the Matamoros booth is a hit during the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

The La Hacienda booth is popular during the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Brooke Irey, left, and Nicole Romero wear Fiesta hats the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Grilled chicken is cut into
strips at the Matamoros booth during the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Marci Aguirre, left, and Paula Gallegos-Denton wear Fiesta hats the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Brooke Irey, left, and Nicole Romero prepare to enjoy tortilla soup from Nicha's during the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

Photo By San Antonio Express-News

Marci Aguirre carries her food from the La Hacienda booth during the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, on Wednesday, April 23, 2014.

ABOVE: Lily Nguyen, left, and Nicole Kunetz enjoy the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra, April 23.
LEFT: Rod King and Leslie Michael show their Fiesta hats during the annual Taste of the Northside, a food-friendly event at the parking lot of The Club at Sonterra. Leslie Michael made each hat by hand.

It was Desi and Joe Knight's first trip to A Taste of the Northside Fiesta celebration last week, and it may not be their last.

“It's pretty awesome,” said Desi Knight who came to the event from the West Side.

“You can go from Colombian to Greek food, all in one place,” her husband added. “This will be our only Fiesta event.”

Bill Graves, a four-time visitor to A Taste of the Northside, explained he liked the space and the more controlled pace of the Northside event, not to mention the non-traditional food offerings and entertainment.

“It's everything without the enormous crowds,” said Graves about the 15th annual celebration held April 23. “I did more (Fiesta events) when I was younger, but as I get older, I get wiser. Have fun, keep it simple and enjoy the next morning.”

The event drew more than 8,000 people to the parking lot and grounds of The Club at Sonterra to sample food from over 60 restaurants, chose between dozens of wine and beer options and move to bands like Grooveline and Blue Finger Disco performing on multiple stages.

The event raised money for the Brighton Center, a San Antonio nonprofit that yearly aids more than 2,500 children with developmental concerns and their families.

Officials said in a news release that Taste generated more than $550,000 for Brighton, about the same that it raised last year.

Brighton Executive Director Kim Jefferies said she has watched the event grow from a small wine-and-food-tasting affair making about $3,500 to one that sprawls throughout the country club's oak-lined grounds and this year included a beer garden and a fireworks display. The event generates about a third of the $1.5 million the center needs in donations each year.

Jefferies said the unique food offered at the festival is a big draw but so is the comfortable atmosphere that surrounds the country club.

Another plus is the pricing strategy that gives party-goers free parking plus shuttle service to the event, eight food samples and five wine or beer tastings for one $60 ticket or $55 if bought early.

“It's our largest fundraiser,” she said. “People have a good time.”

Even those who waited for 45 minutes, according to one party-goer, to get on a shuttle bus for the short trip to the grounds seemed unfazed by that hurdle.

“It's the tradition and the food,” said Roland Gonzalez as he boarded one of the buses at Reagan High School for his sixth trip to the event. “We get a sample of everything.”

Other visitors at the event shared his enthusiasm.

“It's more relaxing than NIOSA (A Night in Old San Antonio),” said Misty Mitchell-Arizpe who was there with a group. “There's more space, and there's always a nice breeze.”

Miles Erwin added the event is “definitely about the food,” and his wife Beth Erwin said not to forget the alcohol. She also noted the ticket, while costing more than other Fiesta events, are really comparable because parking, food and drink is included.

“It's nice to have everything pre-paid,” said Margaret Reynosa, another first-time visitor to the event.

And, as Desi Knight said in explaining her backing of the ticket prices, “it goes to charity.”